INDIANAPOLIS – It’s hyperbole – you know, hot-take conversation – to question the veracity of a team with an NFL-best 7-2 record.
That’s who the Indianapolis Colts remained as they headed home Sunday evening after their latest face-plant against the Steelers in Pittsburgh. They’ve still won just twice in forever in the Steel City: 2-18.
And let’s not be confused by the one-possession loss. The error-filled 27-20 setback wasn’t nearly that close. The Colts trailed 24-7 early in the fourth quarter before cleaning up their act and tacking up three late scoring drives.
It’ll be a convenient conversation on talk radio Monday to wonder: Are these the real Colts?
There were six turnovers, which matched an Indy-era record and gifted the Steelers 24 points. No one should be surprised that since 2000, teams with at least six turnovers are 5-93-1.
They couldn’t protect Daniel Jones. After being sacked nine times in eight games, he absorbed five. The in-his-face pressure from T.J. Watt, Alex Highsmith and a slew of others contributed to his career-high five giveaways: three interceptions, which matched a career high, and two fumbles on strip-sacks.
The NFL’s No. 1 offense managed a deceptive 368 total yards against a Steelers’ defense that was ranked No. 30 and had given up 924 yards and 68 points in their last two games, losses to Green Bay and Cincinnati.
So, who are these guys? Until the loss to the Steelers turns into a midseason losing streak – the Colts meet the Atlanta Falcons Sunday in Berlin before having their bye – they’ll use their first eight games as evidence of their collective worth and insist Sunday was an aberration.
“I’ve got a ton a faith in our offense and our guys,’’ Shane Steichen said after the game.
“I think we’ve got mature guys in the room,’’ Jones said. “I’m sure we’ll be eager to correct the things that we didn’t do as well.
“But as far as our confidence level or who we believe we are as a team, that’s strong and we’re sure of that. We’re sure of who we are.’’
That sentiment echoed across the locker room.
It will take more than one game – clearly Indy’s worst of the season – to rattle anyone’s psyche.
Listen to Michael Pittman Jr.
“Adversity is good,’’ he told reporters, “but we’ve got to go win the next one.’’
And listen to Quenton Nelson.
“Losing makes you better in the long run as long as you learn from it and that’s what we’re going to do,’’ he said. “I’m thankful for all the wins we have. I’m thankful for the losses because it makes us better and it helps us grow. This loss will help us be a better football team.’’
Sunday, the Colts hardly resembled the bunch that had averaged 33.8 points per game, had turned the ball over just four times and were turnover-free in six of eight games.
“When you look at any game, turnovers are a key,’’ Jones said. “And to turn it over as many times as we did today, you’re going to have a tough time winning.
“Obviously, that’s on me. I’ve got to protect the ball better and make sure we’re giving ourselves a chance.’’
The three interceptions equaled his eight-game total with Indy and tied a career high while the two lost fumbles were strip-sacks when Jones’ edge protection failed him. On the first, Watt beat right tackle Braden Smith. On the second, Highsmith whipped left tackle Bernhard Raimann.
Two of the giveaways in the second quarter allowed Pittsburgh to set the tone.
Watt’s strip-sack led to Jaylen Warren’s 1-yard touchdown with 6:09 remaining that tied the game at 7-all. On the second play of the Colts’ ensuing possession, Payton Wilson stepped in front of a Jones’ pass intended for Josh Downs, intercepted it and returned it 26 yards to the Indy 14. Two plays later, Aaron Rodgers hit Pat Freiermuth with a 12-yard touchdown.
That was 14 Steeler points in 1 minute, 47 seconds.
Josh Bidwell’s 25-yard field goal as time expired in the second quarter dropped the Colts into a 17-7 halftime hole that grew deeper with each subsequent mistake.
Give the Colts credit for finding a way to make it semi-interesting in the closing minutes. There was Jones’ 4-yard TD to Downs and 52- and 53-yard field goals by Michael Badgley.
But attempting two Rigoberto Sanchez onside kicks in the final 5 minutes summed up the Colts’ latest loss in Pittsburgh.
As it should be, the NFL is a What have you done for me lately? business.
There’s no question the Colts took a step backward. But that’s a league-wide reality.
Sunday, Carolina beat the Green Bay Packers 16-13 in Lambeau Field.
In week 1, the now-2-6 Las Vegas Raiders beat the now 7-2 Patriots 20-13 in Foxboro.
In week 8, the now-2-7 Miami Dolphins overwhelmed the Falcons 34-10 in Atlanta.
Stuff happens.
“We just try to be our best every day,’’ Nelson said. “Guys care about each other and play for each other. They come to work for each other and grind for each other. We’ll be back next week. Next week’s the most important game.
“Just learn from the film, get better, come back to work a little pissed off. Losing is part of life and it makes you better as long as you learn from it and work hard.’’
Taylor entered the game as a front-runner for NFL MVP. He led the league in rushing, total yards from scrimmage and points.
The Steelers bottled him up: 45 yards on 14 carries with a long of 9.
“You don’t want it to happen,’’ Taylor said. “It sucks. It doesn’t feel good.
“But we do understand it’s a long season and the great teams, they find a way to bounce back. They find a way to get better from this.’’
Pittman, Pierce hit 100
Despite their glowing offensive numbers during the 7-1 start, the Colts had failed to have a receiver produce at least 100 yards in a game.
Until Sunday.
Pittman had 115 yards on nine catches while Pierce finished with 115 on six.
A week after allowing Green Bay tight end Tucker Kraft to generate 143 yards and two TDs on seven receptions, the Steelers held Colts’ rookie tight end Tyler Warren to 26 yards and five catches on seven targets.
This and that
- Steichen was aggressive from the outset. The Colts converted 5-of-5 fourth-down situations. It marked the most fourth-down conversions by the team since at least 1991, and the fifth time that’s been accomplished in the league over than span.
- The Colts are 15-of-17 on fourth down this season.
- Jones set a career high with 31 completions and his 50 attempts were one shy of matching a career high. His 342 yards were a season high and his most since piling up 402 against New Orleans in 2021.
- The Colts’ defense limited the Rodgers-led Steelers to 225 yards and 4-of-12 on third-down conversions.
- Indy sacked Rodgers three times with Laiatu Latu being credited with a career-high 2.5 and Neville Gallimore .5. Latu’s 5 sacks on the season are a career-high.
- Nickel back Kenny Moore II forced a fumble by Roman Wilson that was recovered by safety Cam Bynum.
- Downs muffed Corliss Waitman’s punt in the first quarter. He was returning punts because Anthony Gould was out with a knee injury.
You can follow Mike Chappell on Twitter at @mchappell51.